After weeks of chatter, the trade that everyone in Philly has been talking about is done.
Roy Oswalt has agreed to waive his no trade clause and accept a trade to Philadelphia in exchange for J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers, Jonathon Villar and Anthony Gose.
The Phillies will also receive $11 million from the Astros in order to cover some of the $24 million Oswalt is owed for the rest of 2010 and 2011. As part of the swap, instead of picking up the option year in 2012 for $16 million, the Phillies will increase Oswalt’s buyout from $2 million to $3 million.
It’s a great trade for the Phillies. Getting Oswalt gives the Phillies a top 3 of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt & Cole Hamels. That’s a very strong rotation to take into the playoffs.
Happ is clearly the loser in this deal. He worked hard to get back to the bigs after injury, and he’ll most likely be sent back to the minors in Houston.
With Ed Wade in place, Houston has become a top target for Ruben Amaro. RAJ has shown he has the chops to pull off a big mid-season deal, but he clearly worked over Wade with this trade.
First Cliff Lee, then Roy Halladay, and now Roy Oswalt? Been a great year for the Phillies.
With the offense finally finding it’s stride and the pitching staff getting a big upgrade, the Phillies are showing that they’re out to become the first team in over 60 years to 3-peat as National League Champions.
